NIALL MCWILLIAM

John Kinross Scholar in 1986

Niall McWilliam, Haji Lane, Singapore

How did the experience affect you as an individual?
The Scholarship was a great boost to my confidence as an artist. It changed my perception of colour and how a new environment can influence your thought processes being exposed to different cultures and architecture. It gave me a sense of determination to further explore my art.

What was the impact on your practice?
I felt I was more disciplined in my approach to recording subject matter. I was very focused on searching for places of interest and then following up with sketching. It also helped that the weather was very favourable and I enjoyed drawing and sketching outdoors. I researched more deeply into subject matter which helped me understand more the cultural and historical aspects of the country I was staying in.

What would you say the long term impact has been on yourself and you work?
I feel more comfortable now being able to explore more subject matter that interests me. It has definitely helped me to express colour more vividly and I have more of a sense of cultural values. This aspect has stuck with me since leaving Scotland and moving to Singapore. I have been researching all the mixed cultural diversities here in SG and I have made an effort to engage with the local communities to explore new themes to my work.